Cellulite (cell-u-leet) is an unscientific descriptive term. It was first used in Sweden at the end of the 19th century and was adopted by French salons to refer to the dimpled, rippling subcutaneous deposits of fat, body fluids and waste materials that form on the bodies of many women and some men. Another term for the condition is lipedema. This can be misleading, because lipedema is not a true edema, consisting as it does of mostly fat cells and connective tissue. However, chronic lipedema can eventually develop true edema along with chronic inflammation resulting in changes in the skin, making it thicker, coarse, less flexible red and dry.

Cellulite can appear on the hips and thighs (most commonly) and upper arms. On older women it may also appear across the upper back, across the abdomen and even on the calves. To the touch, the texture of cellulite is lumpy and discontinuous and when squeezed or palpated cellulite comes to the hand in lumps and masses. The appearance of cellulite is unfortunate at the least and positively disfiguring in severe cases. The tendency toward cellulite can be inherited, although lifestyle and diet play a major role in its formation.

Cellulite is distributed mainly in the well-known "saddlebag" area, over the hips, abdomen, and thighs. Other areas of the body are normal in size and appearance. So cellulite has two components: an unattractive distribution of fat cells below the waist and disturbance of the connective tissue which causes scarring and distortion of the superficial fascia. It can also include true edema, which is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in these regions. Manual therapies are effective in treating the scarring of the connective tissue and the edema. Manual therapies cannot remove or redistribute fat cells. In fact, the only therapy that can actually remove fat cells is liposuction! However, massage can smooth the rippled appearance of the skin, improve the nutrition to the skin and hasten the removal of metabolic waste, microorganisms, and microscopic particles from the area.

Cellulite forms in the superficial fascia, a layer of connective tissue below the skin that contains fat cells. Superficial fascia is fibrous and due to inactivity, injuries, and improper exercise, adhesions (scar tissue) in the fascia can form contributing to the bunched-up or rippled look of the skin. Not only does the superficial fascia become more fibrous, thickened and coarse, less flexible, but it can also adhere to underlying structures that it normally slides over.

Improper exercise is also a factor in cellulite. Lack of exercise causes one set of problems, including flaccid, weak muscles and poor skin tone, sluggish lymph circulation and weight gain. Over-exercise causes another set of problems: tense, overworked muscles contributing to fatigue and the build-up of the by-products of the combustion of energy. Overworked, fatigued muscles are easily injured, leading to tears in the connective tissue that in turn lead to the development of scar tissue and adhesions. Excessive exercise combined with very strict dieting can lead to malnutrition, which adversely affects the appearance and texture of the skin.

Overweight, sun, gravity, and even exposure to cold can cause changes in the skin ranging from atrophy to hypertrophy. If the collagen of the skin is damaged, changes take place including accumulations of fat cells and thickened skin. Fat cells can change in size depending on exercise and diet. All of these conditions contribute to the appearance of cellulite.

In a nutshell, cellulite (lipedema) is a condition of stagnation, whatever the cause. The ultimate remedy is to enhance the body's circulation, improve nutrition, increase metabolism, and reduce scar tissue and adhesions in the superficial fascia. Treatment of cellulite requires more than just lymph drainage massage. A successful program has to include changes in diet and lifestyle.

French, R.M., (2003) Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage, Thompson Learning

From Palm Springs or Cathedral City, take Highway 111 east toward Rancho Mirage. Turn left on Frank Sinatra Blvd., and turn left in the first driveway.

From Rancho Mirage or cities farther east, take Highway 111 west and turn right on Frank Sinatra Blvd., then left into the driveway.